Joiner link



arch 19, 1968 c. J. MANNEY ET AL 3,373,560

JOINER LINK Filed April 18, 1966 INVENTORS CHARL 534. MA N/VE Y IPAYMO/VD m ROB/N501! DENNIS MOL NAR ATTORNEYS 3,373,560 JOINER LlNKCharles J. Manney, Kenmore, Raymond M. Robinson,

Clarence, and Dennis Molnar, Kenmore, N.Y., assignors to ColumbusMcKinnon Corporation, Tonawanda, N.Y. Continuation-impart of applicationSer. No. 326,966,

Nov. 29, 1963. This application Apr. 18, 1966, Ser.

7 Claims. (Cl. 59-85) This invention relates to devices for joiningtogether links of chain, for joining a length of chain to a hook or thelike and pertains more particularly to improved means for preventingaccidental disengagement of the parts so joined.

This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending applicationSer. No. 326,966, filed Nov. 29, 1963, now abandoned.

Joiner links comprising two link halves articulately or pivotally joinedby means of a pin and in association with some mechanism for locking thepin in place after assembly are old and Well known, being useful formany applications. However, a problem which has plagued this art formany years is the question of providing some means for locking the pinin place and preventing its accidental disengagement but which does notrequire special tools to be used in the assembling of the joiner linkwhich, at the same time, is of such nature as to be relatively immune toaccidental damage which might permit the pin to be dislodged and thejoiner link halves to separate unintentionally. The problem is furthercomplicated by virtue of the fact that the lock means must also be ofsuch nature that it does not inordinately increase the cost of thejoiner link assembly.

To our knowledge, no prior art device meets all of the aboverequirements and, more particularly, to our knowledge, those joiner linkassemblies which successfully meet the tests of allowing easy assemblywithout the requirement for special tools and which feature a lock forthe pin which is not easily damaged or destroyed do not concomitantlyachieve these ends in a fashion which is economi-cal and such joinerlinks, therefore, are inordinately expensive even though they mayotherwise be acceptable.

Essentially, the present invention is concerned with a joiner linkassembly wherein two pivotally interconnected link halves are joined bya pin passing through intercalated portions of the link halves and whichpin is provided with a spring clip or liked evice which serves toprevent axial displacement of the pin with such spring clip device beinglocated between the interdigitated ends of the link halves and isthereby, as is the usual practice, in a position which might bevulnerable particularly when the joiner link is dragged across theground or impinged against a solid object, the essence of the inventionresiding in the pro-.

vision of a protective washer or washers also located betweeninterdigitated ends of the link halves and collectively with the springclip device substantially filling the gap or space therebetween butcharacterized by projecting radially of the pin Well beyond the radialprojection of the spring clip device and thus providing a very narrowthroat leading to the spring clip device to thereby protect the same andminimize the possibility of damage and destruction of the spring clipdevice and consequent accidental axial withdrawal of the hinge pin.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will ap pear from thespecification hereinafter and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing one form of joiner link constructedin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view, partly in section, showing the assembled joiner linkaccording to FIGURE 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but showing a modified form ofconstruction;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane ofsection line 4-4 in FIGURE 3 and showing details of the pin assembly;

FIG. 5 is a view simlar to FIGURES 2 and 3 but showing a furthermodification of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the essential componentsof the modification of FIGURE 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGURES 2, 3 and 5 but showing a stillfurther modified form of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane ofsection line 8-8 in FIGURE 7; and

FIG. 9 is a partial view, partly in section, showing a furthermodification of the invention.

With reference now more particularly to FIGURE 1, the joiner linkassembly shown therein includes complementary link halves 10 and 12 eachhaving at its opposite ends a pair of arms 14 and 16 and a single arm 18respectively for interdigitation as shown in FIGURE 2. These severalarms are provided with aligned openings 20, 22 and 24 which, whenregistered as shown in FIG- URE 2, admit of the insertion therewithin ofa pin assembly indicated generally by the reference character 26 whichserves to pivotally join the two link halves together substantially asis shown. Joiner links constructed in this general fashion are old andwell known. Associated with this general combination are various meansto secure the pin 26 against inadvertent or accidental dislodgementwhich would permit separation of the two link halves and misjoinder ofthe components interconnected by the joiner link assembly. As has beenstated, it is of primary concern in connection with this invention toprovide an improved means for so locking the pin 26 against inadvertentdisplacement.

As can be seen in FIGURE 2, the spacing between the opposed faces 30 and32 of the link halves legs 16,16 is normally such as to expose asuiiicient portion of the pin assembly therebetween which would allowrocks, or other hard objects against which the joiner link may im pingeto damage and possibly destroy any lock means provided within this areaof the assembly.

In accordance with the form of the invention shown in FIGURES l and 2,this diificulty is overcome by the utilization of a pair of washers 34and 36 which normally abut or lie closely adjacent to the opposedsurfaces 30 and 32 as aforesaid and which narrow the gap therebetween topresent a relatively slim throat 38 within which a locking clip member40 is disposed in association with the pin and which, by reason of thenarrowness of the .throat 38 and the fact that the washers 34 and 36extend radially a substantial distance beyond the locking clip 40 aiiorda degree of protection against accidental damage The locking device maytake simply the form of a C- shaped or substantially closed spring clipdevice, the split in the device 40 being shown at 42 in FIGURE 1 andthis circlip or spring lock is engageable within the groove presented bythe reduced diameter portion 44 disposed centrally of the pin 26substantially as is shown. The clip 40 is normally closed as shown inFIGURE 1, and, as such, is of slightly smaller diameter than thediameters of the main portions 46 and 48 of the pin but which is ofsubstantially the same internal diameter as the reduced portion 44.Under these circumstances, the parts, when aligned, and before the pin26 is entered into position, will permit the pin 26 to be disposed inplace by hammering the same by any suitable means which may convenientlybe at hand in the field. Thus, the invention meets one primary test ofjoiner link assemblies, namely, that its assembly is sufficiently easyand requires no special tools as to permit assembly in the field.

A modified form of the invention is shown in FIGURE 3. In this figure,the pin 50 is provided with a pair of reduced diameter portions 52 and54 which lie closely adjacent the opposed faces 56 and 58 of the joinerlink legs and within which are received the spring clip devices 60 and62. These devices may again be substantially closed or C-shaped elementsas is shown perhaps best in FIGURE 4. In this case, the pin 50 isprovided with a centrally disposed portion 64 which receives a washer 66presenting, in the space between the two faces 56 and 58, two narrowthroatportions 68 and 70 which are sufi'iciently narrow as to thoroughlyprotect the two spring clip devices 60 and 62 against accidental damageas aforesaid.

A further modification of the invention is shown in FIGURES S and 6. Inthis form of the invention, the pin is identical to that shown inFIGURES 1 and 2 as are the spring clip device 40 and the two washers 34and 36. However, the protecting and locking assembly is integrated as aunit in this form of the invention so that greater ease of assembly ispermitted and, furthermore, fewer component parts are required to behandled so that less likelihood of loss in the field before assembly islikely to occur. The protecting and locking device assembly is shownbest in exploded fashion in FIGURE 6. The assembly includes a retainersleeve 70 preferably formed of synthetic resinous material molded insuitable fashion to accommodate the spring clip 40 and the two washers34 and 36. For this purpose, the sleeve 70 is provided with end recessesone of which is indicated by the reference character 72 in FIGURE 6which receives the respective Washers 34 and 36 and centrally of thesleeve is provided a web portion 74 which may be provided with a tang 76adapted to receive the notch 78 presented by a simple piece of springbar stock disposed in a circle substantially as is shown. When theseveral parts are assembled together as a unit, they present a unitaryassembly which may be slipped between the interdigitated link halves andwhich allow the pin then to be driven through without requiringindividual alignment of the parts since the unitary assembly presentsthe openings through the clip 40 and the washers 34 and 36 in alignmentwithin the sleeves 70.

A further modification of the invention is illustrated in FIGURES 7 and8. Here again an aligning sleeve 80 is provided for the spring clip 40and the washers 34 and 36 so as'to hold them in alignment and as aunitary assembly as aforesaid. In this case, however, instead of formingthe sleeve as a single member, an inner sleeve 82 is provided centrallywithin the outer sleeve 80, substantially as is shown and within whichis received the spring clip device 40. The principles remain the same inother respects as previously described.

A further modification is illustrated in FIGURE 9 and, like the forms ofthe invention shown in FIGURES and 7, the FIGURE 9 construction isdirected to ease of alignment of the spring clip member 44) and theassociated washers 86 and 88. In this form of the invention, the twowashers 86 and 88 are provided with recesses in opposed faces to receiveand center the spring clip 49 therebetween so that all of the openingsare properly aligned so that the pin 26 may be easily insertedthereinto.

In the forms of the invention shown in FIGURES 5 and 7, the sleevedevices, although functioning primarily for alignment purposes and toprevent accidental loss of the relatively small components used, alsoact as additional protective devices to cushion any blows which may beencountered but in actual practice, these sleeves usually wear away andfinally fall off.

We claim:

1. A joiner link assembly comprising a pair of identical, substantialU-shaped, half coupling links each having one leg terminating in an eyeportion having flat opposite sides and the other leg terminating in anend portion notched inwardly thereof to define a clevis device, the eyeand clevis portions of said half links being interdigitated and providedwith axially aligned bores,

a hinge pin passing through all of said bores to pivotally join saidhalf links, said pin having enlarged diameter end portions passingthrough the interdigitated ends of the half links and a central portionof reduced diameter disposed between said coupling links leg portions,

an elastic-collar snap-fitted upon said reduced diameter pin portion andprotruding therefrom beyond the diameter of the end portions of saidpin, thereby detachably locking said pin and half coupling links inassembled relation,

a pair of separate guard rings engaging said pin on opposite sides ofsaid collar, the opposed faces of said guard rings constituting abutmentsurfaces against which said collar may bear to resist axial dislodgementof said pin from said links,

a separate shield ring sandwiched between said guard rings and bridgingat least partly between said abutment surfaces and circumferentiallyaround said collar,

and a resilient sleeve enclosing said guard rings and said shieldringand gripping the outer surfaces thereof to retain such rings incontiguous relation.

2. A joiner link assembly comprising, in combination,

a pair of generally U-shaped link halves each of which terminates'at oneend in a single leg and at its other end in a spaced pair of legs withsuch legs of each pair being provided with aligned openings, the legs ofthe correspondingly opposite ends of said link 'halves beinginterdigitated with all of the openings therein in alignment,

a pin extending through the openings in said interdigitated legs andhingedly interconnecting said link halves,

spring clip means embracingly locked on said pin within that spacebetween the interdigitated ends of the link halves, said spring clipmeans being of a diameter slightly greater than the maximum diameter ofsaid pin andh'aving a total width axially of the pin which is less thanabout half the axial width of said space,

and collar means slidably received on said pin within the confines ofsaid space, said collar means and said spring clip means being of acollective width substantially equal to the axial width of said space soas to minimize axial shifting of said pin, and said collar means beingof a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of said springclip means to present a throat leading to said spring clip means whichis deeper than it is wide.

3. The assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said spring clip meanscomprises a pair of spring clips located adjacent respective ones of theinterdigitatcd ends of the link halves, and said collar means comprisinga single washer disposed between said spring clips.

4. The assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said spring clip meanscomprises a single spring clip centrally located within said space, andsaid collar means comprising a pair of Washers straddling said springclip.

5. The assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the opposed faces of saidwashers are recessed to receive 0pposite sides of the spring cliptherein.

6. The assembly as defined in claim 4 including a sleeve surroundingsaid spring clip and washers and retaining the same in alignment.

7. The assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said sleeve comprises anouter tubular sleeve and a centrally located inner sleeve surroundingthe spring clip.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Adams 5985 Kraemer 5980 Hill858.8 Cordis 5985 Devonshire 5988 Kelting 5986 Bergman 5985 CHARLES W.LANHAM, Primary Examiner. C. P. CROSBY, Assistant Examiner.

2. A JOINER LINK ASSEMBLY COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A PAIR OFGENERALLY U-SHAPED LINK HALVES EACH OF WHICH TERMINATES AT ONE END IN ASINGLE LEG AND AT ITS OTHER END IN A SPACED PAIR OF LEGS WITH SUCH LEGSOF EACH PAIR BEING PROVIDED WITH ALIGNED OPENINGS, THE LEGS OF THECORRESPONDINGLY OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID LINK HALVES BEING INTERDIGITATEDWITH ALL OF THE OPENINGS THEREIN IN ALIGNMENT, A PIN EXTENDING THROUGHTHE OPENINGS IN SAID INTERDIGITATED LEGS AND HINGEDLY INTERCONNECTINGSAID LINK HALVES, SPRING CLIP MEANS EMBRACINGLY LOCKED ON SAID PINWITHIN THAT SPACE BETWEEN THE INTERDIGITED ENDS OF THE LINK HALVES, SAIDSPRING CLIP MEANS BEING OF A DIAMETER SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUMDIAMETER OF SAID PIN AND HAVING A TOTAL WIDTH AXIALLY OF THE PIN WHICHIS LESS THAN ABOUT HALF THE AXIAL WIDTH OF SAID SPACE, AND COLLAR MEANSSLIDABLY RECEIVED ON SAID PIN WITHIN THE CONFINES OF SAID SPACE, SAIDCOLLAR MEANS AND SAID SPRING CLIP MEANS BEING OF A COLLECTIVE WIDTHSUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE AXIAL WIDTH OF SAID SPACE SO AS TO MINIMIZEAXIAL SHIFTING OF SAID PIN, AND SAID COLLAR MEANS BEING OF A DIAMETERSUBSTANTIALLY GREATER THAN THE DIAMETER OF SAID SPRING CLIP MEANS TOPRESENT A THROAT LEADING TO SAID SPRING CLIP MEANS WHICH IS DEEPER THANIT IS WIDE.